Pregnenolone
Monograph · CPregnenolone
Master steroid hormone — synthesized from cholesterol; precursor to DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, estradiol, testosterone. Also acts as a neurosteroid: modulates NMDA + GABA-A receptors in CNS.
How it clearsHalf cleared in ~9h. Most (~96%) gone by ~2d.
Compare these compounds
Mechanism, evidence, legal path, cost — all side-by-side.
OTC supplement (DSHEA). Memory + cognitive-enhancement claims rest on small RCTs (Vallée 2014, Marx 2009 in schizophrenia) + extensive preclinical neurosteroid literature. Adrenal-fatigue/HRT-bridge cohort uses pregnenolone as a 'gentler' upstream alternative to direct DHEA or hydrocortisone. Effect is bidirectional — can lower OR raise cortisol depending on starting state, which complicates dosing for cohort users without baseline labs.
Promising cognitive signal that holds up in early trials — but cognitive effects resist self-assessment at low deltas. The brain adjusts to its own baseline quickly, meaning real improvements can feel like nothing from the inside. Task performance tracks better than sensation here.
Bidirectional cortisol effect — without baseline labs, you can't predict whether your dose will calm or activate. Estrogen + progesterone downstream conversion makes this contraindicated in estrogen-sensitive cancer history. Quality varies on OTC supplements. WADA-banned for athletes.
Upload your data to see how it relates to Pregnenolone.
Upload a lab file (LabCorp / Quest) or DNA file (23andMe / AncestryDNA). Stack will show your specific markers alongside the literature-reported response windows.
Upload in /historyPer-claim grading. Each claim is graded independently — same peptide, different claims can carry different grades.
- CLimited evidence
Master steroid hormone — synthesized from cholesterol; precursor to DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, estradiol, testosterone
1 supporting referencesVerified 31d ago
External links to PubMed searches, ClinicalTrials.gov, and FDA materials. We do not host papers — we point at canonical sources.
OTC supplement (US, DSHEA) · banned by WADA · prescription in some EU countries
No field reports yet
Field reports are added as users share their real-world protocols.
Next visit & citations
Handoff & sources
Running this compound? Log it in /history, then open Dr Passport before your visit. Methodology explains grades; the research dashboard sorts the full catalog with citations.